Founder of Hands on Gambia, Alagie Ndow said the farm initiative aims to provide comprehensive approach to better equip agrarian urban communities with supportive gardening tools.
“Urban Green Initiative is an urban consultancy service initiative with the mission of empowering sustainable urban gardening practices, garden maintenance and continuous active environmental living who desire to have vegetable oasis in their available spaces in communities across urban settlements in the country” he remarked.
He said Urban Green Initiative has established a task force to periodically guide farmers on gardening upkeep and its implementation.
“Our professional design teams guide small holder farmers in consultation stages, process of farm rehabilitation, planning, designing and implementation”, he also said.
He decried lacked of market accessibility on smallholder farms, adding that there is need for effective market base to serve as a viable support for farmers to market their produce.
“There are little or no structures in place in the country to support farmers to market their produce after harvest. Access to market can also create production diversification for farmers. It’s key for these farmers to have economic benefits from their produce”, he said.
Mr. Ndow commended the women folk for their active role in community gardening, geared towards significantly contributing to the socio economic drive of the country.
“Small holders farm are contributing significantly in the agro production sector, he stated.
He said the livestock sector has been the key factor towards accelerating economic opportunities to support many families.
The livestock sector comprising cattle, small ruminants, different species of poultry, pigs and equines contributes 6% to GDP.
